Is it anything other than a body recovery location device?
Has there ever been a live recovery using recco?
If a phone could be utilized to do a beacon-like search with recco, it'd be great, especially for redundancy, but mostly because virtually everyone would be armed with the tech to save people and they already own it.

Is it anything other than a body recovery location device?
Has there ever been a live recovery using recco?
If a phone could be utilized to do a beacon-like search with recco, it'd be great, especially for redundancy, but mostly because virtually everyone would be armed with the tech to save people and they already own it.

Speculation: the case for Recco may be stronger in Europe where "in-area" is different: someone could easily be off a marked piste and in uncontrolled terrain, but within the ski area and ski patrol only minutes away. In the US, it's not the same balance, but apparently a lot of US patrols do have Recco receivers.

Tech speculation: apparently Recco operates near 900 MHz, which is not that far from some cell phone bands and much higher frequency than beacons at 457 kHz. But, the Recco transmitter is directional and I think it must be very powerful to put a 900 MHz signal thorough several feet of snow. I doubt that a cell phone has either the power or directionality to do that usefully, unfortunately.

It's interesting that Recco is now also marketing their heli units as a SAR tool for finding missing hikers.

[...]Tech speculation: apparently Recco operates near 900 MHz, which is not that far from some cell phone bands and much higher frequency than beacons at 457 kHz. But, the Recco transmitter is directional and I think it must be very powerful to put a 900 MHz signal thorough several feet of snow. I doubt that a cell phone has either the power or directionality to do that usefully, unfortunately.[...]

The detector is directional, but not *perfectly* so: unlike a beacon, which is essentially searching *everywhere* around the searcher, the RECCO detector is *primarily* searching in the direction at which it's pointed.
But as the manual states:https://beaconreviews.com/manuals/RE...2017-12-28.pdf

Weaker signals are also sent out to the rear and sides, which may result in distracting (false) signals from radios, cell phones, GPS units, cameras, transceivers, car keys, and reflectors. Mixed metal objects – locking carabineers, keys, multi-tools, ice screws, boot buckles, etc. may create a weak RECCO signal.
Therefore, the operator should move offending devices and gear to one’s back, or shield with RECCO Shields or Vest. Or if not needed, remove and leave behind.
Be alert for nearby rescuers possibly wearing reflectors. Keep these rescuers behind the operator and use your body as a shield, or do not aim the detector toward these rescuers.

The plus side of those "distracting signals" is that a RECCO detector can pick up a cell phone or other electronic devices (whether on or off, and totally unrelated of course to their transmission frequency), as these can (to some extent) double-back the detector's signal as would a RECCO reflector.

For those stuck in the Northeast, check out the NE Rando Race Series and my avalanche course. (For other avalanche course providers anywhere, feel free to use any of my "homework" assignments for your own courses too.)

Is it anything other than a body recovery location device?
Has there ever been a live recovery using recco?
If a phone could be utilized to do a beacon-like search with recco, it'd be great, especially for redundancy, but mostly because virtually everyone would be armed with the tech to save people and they already own it.

I think the perfect use for RECCO would be for Tree Well zones at resorts.